Title: Developing a Specialized Collection for the Department of Computer Science at
the University of Nairobi
Introduction
The advancement of global economies today depends heavily on Information and
Communication Technology (ICT), with Computer Science forming a major pillar. At the
University of Nairobi, the Department of Computer Science is one of the core engines for
research, innovation, and education in Kenya’s technological transformation. To support this
mission, a well-curated, specialized collection is necessary. This essay presents a
comprehensive argument for establishing a department-specific collection that meets diverse
needs and aligns with academic and national goals. It also outlines administration and
management strategies that ensure relevance, sustainability, and user accessibility.
Understanding the Needs, Goals, and Patrons
The Department of Computer Science caters to a broad spectrum of stakeholders:
Undergraduate and postgraduate students: They need foundational and advanced
learning resources, including textbooks, coding manuals, and access to programming
environments.
Faculty members: Require scholarly journals, research databases, conference
proceedings, and tools for content delivery and publication.
Researchers: Need current data, computational tools, simulation environments, and
preprints.
Industry partners and government stakeholders: Interested in technical reports,
white papers, and documentation on trends such as cybersecurity, artificial
intelligence, and IoT.
The department’s key goals include:
1. Providing globally competitive computer science education.
2. Encouraging innovation and application-based learning.
3. Supporting research with local relevance and international impact.
4. Collaborating with the public and private sectors to address ICT challenges.
Meeting these needs calls for a robust, dynamic, and tailored collection that supports
theoretical knowledge, research capacity, and practical application.
Rationale for Establishing a Departmental Collection
A department-specific collection provides access to specialized materials otherwise neglected
in broader university libraries. The field of computer science evolves rapidly; thus,
conventional collection development strategies fail to meet the pace. Some benefits of a
tailored collection include:
Immediate access to current, domain-specific materials.
Access to resources such as IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and Elsevier
journals.
Tools and datasets needed for advanced computing, AI projects, and data science.
Increased academic performance and research output.
Improved global ranking and appeal to international collaborators.
Real-world example: The University of Cape Town maintains a digital repository and
departmental library tailored to their Computer Science department, which has accelerated
research and startup incubation.
Components of the Collection
The collection must be comprehensive and diverse:
1. Books (Print and E-Books) – On topics such as systems design, software
development, AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity.
2. Academic Journals – ACM Transactions, IEEE Transactions, Journal of Systems
and Software, etc.
3. Datasets and Case Studies – For machine learning, NLP, and data mining courses.
4. Development Tools – Access to IDEs, compilers, and APIs for languages such as
Python, Java, and C++.
5. Video Tutorials and MOOCs – Integration of courses from platforms like Coursera,
edX, and Udemy.
6. Grey Literature – Project reports, theses, and internal technical papers.
Collection Development and Administration
The success of the collection depends on structured management:
Collection Development Policy: Should guide selection based on relevance,
authority, currency, and usage trends. Annual reviews should be conducted to update
or weed out outdated material.
Acquisition Strategy: Collaborate with publishers and technology companies. Apply
for funding from research grants and innovation hubs. Leverage consortia such as
KLISC for access to bulk subscriptions.
Cataloguing and Indexing: Use MARC21 and DDC (004–006) for classification.
Subject metadata should align with ACM Computing Classification System.
Digital Infrastructure: Resources should be hosted on the university’s e-library
platform. Students should access them via VPN or university Wi-Fi.
User Support and Training: Regular workshops and digital literacy programs to
equip users with skills to access and use the collection.
Staffing Needs
Qualified staff are essential for effective administration:
Subject Librarians: To manage discipline-specific resources.
IT Specialists: For systems integration and cybersecurity.
Acquisition and Metadata Librarians: For collection growth and maintenance.
Sustainability and Evaluation
Budgeting: Include the collection in departmental annual budgets. Seek external
funding from tech firms like Google, Microsoft, and IBM Research.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Use tools like COUNTER and SUSHI to track resource
usage and impact. Conduct user satisfaction surveys.
Feedback Mechanisms: Encourage students and staff to suggest materials.
Challenges and Mitigation Strategies
1. Budget Constraints – Use open access journals, shared licensing, and partnerships.
2. Technological Changes – Ensure agile policies and encourage continuous
professional development among staff.
3. User Resistance – Addressed through consistent user engagement and digital literacy
training.
4. Limited Local Content – Promote student research publication and open
repositories.
Conclusion
The proposed collection for the Department of Computer Science at the University of Nairobi
is a strategic academic investment. By responding to real-world educational, research, and
innovation needs, the collection can become a vital pillar of academic excellence. Proper
planning, funding, and management will ensure its success, making it a model for other
departments and universities in the region.
References
ACM Digital Library. (2022). Retrieved from https://dl.acm.org
IEEE Xplore. (2022). Retrieved from https://ieeexplore.ieee.org
Kenya Libraries and Information Services Consortium (KLISC). (2022). Retrieved
from https://klisc.org
Kuhlthau, C. C. (2004). Seeking meaning: A process approach to library and
information services. Libraries Unlimited.
Tenopir, C., & King, D. W. (2000). Towards electronic journals: Realities for
scientists, librarians, and publishers. SLA Publications.
University of Nairobi. (2023). Department of Computer Science. Retrieved from
https://cs.uonbi.ac.ke
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). (2022). ACM Classification System.
Retrieved from https://www.acm.org/about-acm/classification
Coursera. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.coursera.org
SpringerLink. (2022). Retrieved from https://link.springer.com
ResearchGate. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net
